Machine for sewing buffing pads



March 23 1926.

c; M. HoRToN MACHINE FOR SEWING BUFFING PADS 5 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR m7%. M

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l//guek ATTORNEY Filed Seph` 16, 1922 I wlTNEssEs;

March 23 1926. 1,577,640

C. M. HORTON MACHINE FOR SEWING BUFFING PADS Filed Sept. 16, 1922 5Sheets-Sheet 5 March 23 1926.

c. M. HORTON MACHINE FOR SEWING BUFFING PADS Filed Sept. 16, 1922 5Sheets-Sheet 4 INvENToR MMM By; y

ATroNEv WTNESSES:

Patented Mar'. 23, i926.

UNITED STATES PATENT orricr..

, CHARLES M. HoEToN, or ELIZABETH, naw JERSEY, Assiettes.' To THE smeEnMANU;- EACTUEING COMPANY, or ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, A eoEPoEATToN E NEWJERSEY.

MACHINE FOR SEWING BUFFING PADS.

Application led September 16, 1922. Serial No. 588,553.

To all whom z't may concern."

Be it known that I, CHARLES M. HoR'roN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Elizabeth, in the county of Union and State d of New Jersey,have invented cert-ain new and useful Improvements in Machines forSewing Butling Pads, of which the. following is a specification,reference being had vtherein to the accompanying drawings. Thisinvention relates general y to sewing machines and more particularly' tosewing machinesV of the type adapted for spirally stitching circularbutling pads. Sewing machines of` this type commonly comprise a 35reciprocating needle, a four-motion feeddog, a presser-foot and aWork-holder hav'- ing a pivot about which the pad may turn, as suchpivot is slowly shifted toward the need`e. The stitching is started atthe periphery of the pad and progresses spirally toward the center ofthe pad. With prior machines of this character no particular difficultyis experienced in sewing the outer zone-of the pad, where a given lengthof but as theinner zones are reachedy it becomes more and more difficultfor tliefeeddog to shift the Work. This is partially due to thedecreasing distance of the feed-dog from the center of the pad whichnecessitates the application of an increased force to overcome theinertia of the pad.

Further, in prior'machines of the type under consideration, the feed-dogcan not turn with the work about the pivot of the worksupport as acenter. There is, consequently, a relative sippage of a twistingcharacter between the pad and the feed-dog, which becomes more and morepronounced as the stitching nears the center of the pad and deviatesmore and more sharply from a straight line. These constructive featuresof prior machines cause the feed-dog to dig into and damagev the undersurface ofthe The present invention has f or an object to provide abuiling pad sewing machine 'with `auxiliary feeding mechanism which willautomatically comeinto action and assewing deviates least from astraight line,

pad and result in uneven sewing.

sist the primary feed as the stitching progresses toward the center ofthe pad.

Another objectgof the invention is to so mount and operate the feed-dogo r dogs that it or they will turn with the work withoutltwistingrelative to the work during the feeding stroke.

A more general object of the' invention is to provide a work-controlledauxiliary feed for sewing machines.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the followingdescription and claims.

To the attainment of the ends in view, the invention is, by way ofillustration, embodied in'a buiing pad sewing machine having a pivotalwork-support with automatically operated means for moving said supporttoward the sewing point to accompish a spiral seam. The usual feed-barof the machine has been utilized by mounting thereon spaced primary andauxiliary feed.

ing sections in such a. manner that they are vfree to move angularlywith the buling pad about the pivot of the work-support as a center. Toinsure that the feeding sections will not have differential angularspeeds relative to the center of the work-support, but will havecoincident angular speeds, an equalizer connection between such sectionsland the work-supporting center is provided.

This connection is preferably in the form of a radius-bar having asliding connection with a guide pivoted concentrically with thework-supporting center.

The primary feed isl preferably disposed closely adjacent the need'e soas to operate alone on the bufling pad during the first part of thesewing operation zone of the pad is being stitched. The auxiliarv feedis preferably disposed at the side of the primary feed remote fromtheworksupport center and includes a work-c0n trolled connectionwhich`automatically renders the auxiliary feed .effective when the sewing hasprogressed a predetermined distance toward the center of the pad.V Theauxiliary feed operates on the outer zone of the pad where the appliedforce necessary to or while the outer.

tion. Fig.

. overcome the inertia of the pad is least. The

trolling the position of the presser-element of such feed. During thesewing of the outer zone of the pad the auxiliary feed is maintained inan ineffective condition by mechanism operating to 'hold its presserelement in an elevated position. This mechanism preferably includes awork-controlled trip which automatically initiates the lowering of theauxiliary presser-elementinto cooperative relation with its feedingelement at a predetermined time. This work-controlled trip is preferablyinthe form of a toggle device one link of which is connectedto afee`er-arm disposed in the path of the work vand hence inposition to bedisplaced by the work and break the toggle when the stitching hasprogressed to the extent that the assistance of an auxiliary feedbecomes desirable.

It is to be understood, however, that the specific character of theauxiliary feed or the automatic means, for controlling its action isimmaterial to the invention in its broader aspects.

1n the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation,parti in section, of abutting pad sewing mac ine embodying theinvention. Fig. 2 is a disas-- sembled perspectiveview of the feed-barand feeding sections of the machine. Fig. '3 is Aan enlargedsection ofthe parts vshown adjacent the sewing point in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detailelevation showing a guide-element for the feed-controlling equalizer-barofthe machine. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the sew- .ing machine bed, partsof which are broken away to show the feeding mechanism. Fig. 6 is a viewsimilar-to Fig. 5 but with certain work-supporting parts in assembledposi- 7 is a perspective view of a stopelement shown indotted lines inFig. 6. Fig.

8 is a perspective view of the outer end of the equalizer-bar, shown inFig. 5. Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical section through the sewingmachine bed, with the sewing machine presser and needle in elevation.Fig. 10 is a vertical section through the sewing may. chine bracket-armon the'line 10, 10 of Fig.

1;. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a connection-block at the top ofthe vauxiliary presser-bar. Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of thework-holder shifting Vmechanism. Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are respectivelysections attacco on the lines 134-13, 14-14 and 15-15, Fig. 12. Fig. 16is a detail plan view of the gear supporting shift plate shown in Fig'12. Fig. 17 is a disassembled perspective view of the guiding connectionbetween the workholder and feed-equalizer bar. --Fig.v 18 is a rearelevation of thev alternating needleand feed-presser mechanism shown inFig. 9, and Fig. 19 is a horizontal section on the line 19-19, Fig. 18.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, the invention will bedescribed as embodied'in a sewing machine of the well known Singer class7 type which comprises a bed 1 and bracket-arm 2 terminating in the head3` which supports the reciprocating needle-bar 4 carrying theeye-pointed needle 5. The needle 5 co-operates with the usual shuttlemechanism 6 below the bed 1 and is operated by means of the link con-Anection 7 between the needle-bar 4 and the crank-pin 8 on the take-upbarrel-cam 9 regulating means varies the length of the feeding stroke ofthe feed-bar without varying the position at which the feed-bar beginsits feedin stroke. y

ln the particu Var embodiment of the invention illustrated, the feed-bar15 has pivotally mounted on its upper surface 15', Fig. 2, by means of ascrew 16, a feed-dog carrier 17 the head 18 of which is slotted at 19 toreceive the bar 20 rigidly connected to 'spaced primary andl auxiliaryvfeeding sections 21 and 22, respectively. 'hebar 20 is pivoted tothefeed-dog carrier -17 by means of the pivot-screw 23. ,A pin 24 carriedby the feed-bar 15 enters a curved slot 25 in the carrier 17 concentricwith the pivot-screw 16. The bar 20`and feed-dogs 22, are thus free toturn about the pivot 23 relative to the carrier 17, and the feed-dogsand their carrier are free to 'turn about pivot-screw 16 as a center,thus permitting the feed-dogs to partake of movements both oftranslation and rotation during the feed-A carried by the needle-baroperating shaft fis plate 32 is held in working position bymeans of thecircular Work-supporting plate 35 which is slightly larger than the head31 of the shaft 27 and is partially let into the1 guide-plate 32. Thework-supporting plate 35 carries impaling pins 36 and the work isclamped upon the plate 35 by means-of an upper plate 37 and thumbscrew38 which embraces the reduced and threads upward extension 39 of theshaft 27. The shift of the center of the work-support toward the needle5, during the sewing, is secured by gearing the shaft 27 to a stationaryrack 40 mounted beneath the bed-extension 30. To this end the shaft 27has fixed to its lower end a pinion 41 which meshes with the gear 42mounted on the screw-pin 43 threaded into the slide-block 28 and alsoserving to secure to the latter a pivotal retainer 44 for the shiftplate 44 pivotally carrying the connected pinion and gear elements 45and 46 respectively. The pinion 45 meshes with therack 40 while the gear46 meshes with a pinion 47 concentrically connected to the gear'42. Asystem of reduction gearing is thus provided for imparting a slow motionto the slide-block 28. When the sewing of a pad is completed the vpinion.45 may be disconnected from the rack 40 by swinging the shift-plate 44about its pivotal support 44, for return of the work-holder to initial'Vposition. This disconnection is accomplished by shifting a finger-lever48 1n the direction of the curved arrow, Fig. 12. The

lever 48 is connected to a pivot-shaft 49, Fig.

13, journaled in the slide-block 28 and having a crank-element 50passing through a slot 51 in the shift-plate 44. y

As thefeeding sections o`r dogs 21, 22 both engage the circular movingwork 26, and as any relative twisting or turning movement of thefeed-dogs relative to the work during the feeding stroke isdisadvantageous, mechanism is provided to equalize or preventdifferentiation of the angular speeds of the feed-dogs 21 and 22. Thismechanism preferably comprises the equalizer or radius-bar 34 abovereferred to which, at its inner end, is apertured at 52, 53 to embracethe respective feed-dog sections 21, 22. The bar 34 is retained at theslideway v33 of the guide-plate 32 by means of the retainer plate 54secured in position by suitable screws. The bar 34 is reduced inthickness between the apertures 52, 53 to afford clearance for thecover-plate 55 and is further reduced at its extremity 56 to provideclearance for said plate 55; the eX- tremity 56 being received withinthe slot 58 -in the guide-plate 59. The cover-plate 55 1s cut away at60, 61, Fig. 6, to permit the equalizer-bar and feed-dogs to move in acurved path of any radius within the limits provided. The outer end ofthe radius-bar, that is, the left-hand end, Fig.

l5, is received within the slot 62 inthe member 63 screwed to thebed-extension 30 and The machine bed is provided with a throat-plate 64having a needle-aperture 65 in the path of the needle 5 which is infront of the primary feeding' section 21.

It will be noted that the construction of the feed-dogs, their carrierand equalizer, is. such as toI permit, of a limited end-play' lbridgingthe guideway 29.

of the equalizer 34 or movement of the .l

,carrier 17. Movement of the feed-dogs toward the work-support center islimited by engagement of the edge 66 of the feed-dog l y carrier 17 witha stop-pin 67 carried by a plate 68 adjustable about a pivotalconnection 69 with the throat-plate 64 and held in adjusted position bymeans of the screw 70 which passes through a slot 71 in the plate 68concentric with the' pivot 69.

The edge 66 of the-feed-dog carrier 17 is so shaped as to permitI thefeed-dogs to follow the pad without slippage relative to the latter whenthe work-support occupies its extreme innermost position closelyadjacent the needle. The end-play limiting vmeans above described thusoperate to insure the repeated return of the feed-dogs to respectivefixed and invariable beginning points laterally of the direction offeed, throughout the sewing operation; the feeddogs being free to followthe curvilinear motion of the engaged portions of the' pad to variousendingpoints determined by the length of the feeding stroke and theposition of the work-support centerrelative to .the needle. .Theequalizer connection 34,

however, constrains the feeding elements 21, 22 to move withequalangular speeds about the work-support center and lnsures that eachfeeding element will assume its proper y share of the load and will notslip relativel to the Work in the direction of its feeding stroke. Inthe present embodiment'of the invention, the equalizer bar andconnections operate automatically to'vary the curvature of the path ofmovemen-t of the feeding elements progressively, that is. from one limittoward another or, say, from a curvature of large radius toward acurvature of small radius.

The machine is preferably equipped with an alternating presser mechanismfor cooperation with the needleand primary feeding element. rlhismechanism comprises the needle-presser 72 and feed-presser 73. Theneedle-presser 72 is apertured at 7 41 to clear the needle and isclamped to the lower end of the presser-bar 75 to which is also clampedthe split lugs 76 of the lifting frame 77 having a rearward extension 78which is formed with a horizontal slot 79 for the fulcrum-screw 80 whichis carried by the rear- Wardly extending arm 81 of the presser-liftinglever having :its forwardly extending arm 82 pivotally connected at 83to the lug 84 of a guide-frame 85 slidable upon and relative to thepresser-bar 75 and havmg an upwardly rejecting'V extension 86 to whichis pivota 1y connected at 87 the upper end of the feed-presser bar 88carrying at its lower end the feed-presser foot 73 having a smoothrounded work-engaging surface. The feed-presser'bar is hingedlintermediate its ends at 90 so that the foot 73 may be free to followthe work in a curved path. rlhe springs 91 and 92 insure the return ofthe feed-presser 73 tov a fixed initial position vwhen such foot islifted clear of the work.

'llhe presser-lifting lever has an upwardly extending arm 93 which isslotted at 94 to receive the pin 95 at the lower end ofthe arm' 96 fixedto one end of the rock-.shaft 97 journaledin a frame lug 98. Fixed tothe other end of the rock-shaft 97 is an upwardly extending arm99 havingan adjustable pinand-slot connection 100 with acpitman element 101embracing the eccentric 102 on the. needle-bar operating shaft l0.'

It will be evident that the eccentric 102 and connections therewith willoperate to lift the needleand feed-pressers alternately; the timingbeing suchV that the needlepresser will be liftedwhen'the work is beingfed by the feedingelements 21, 22.

The needle presser-bar 7 5 is telescopically received within a hollowsleeve or feed-presser bar 103 the lower end of which rests upon theguide-frame 85. The feed-presser bar 103 is urged downwardly by thepressure of the leaf-spring v105 and yieldingly holdsl the feed-presserupon the work.

The presser mechanism cooperating with the auxiliary feeding section 22comprises the presser-foot 106 secured to the lower end of the auxiliary'presser-bar 107 which is slidably mounted in the lugs 108 of a bracket109 secured to the bracket-arm 2. The presser-bar 107 is yieldinglyurged downwardly by means of a spring 110 located intermediate theuppermost lug 108 and a collar 111 fixed to thev presser-bar 107.Pivoted to the lowermost lug 108 at 1.12 is a link 113 which atits upperend is pivotally coni narrate nected at 114 to the lower end of a link115 the upper end of which carries a transverse pin 116 received in therecesses 117 of a block 118 xed to the upper end of the auxiliarypresser-bar. 107. The block 118 is slotted at 119, Fig. 11, to receivethe portion of the link adjacent the pin 116. rIhe link `115 has a rigiddownward extension or feelerarm 120 the extremity of which is curvedbeneath the foot 106 and carries a feelerplate 121 disposed above theauxiliary feeding element* 22. The links 113, 115 constitute atoggle-device which, when straightened, holds thefoot 106 in elevated orineffective position, shown in full lines, Fig. 1, with the spring 110Acompressed.

When the sewing has progressed to the extent that the edge of the workencounters the feeler-plate 412.1 the outer zone of the work will liebetween the auxiliary feeding and presser-elements, which areinedective. As the sewing continues the edge of the work will readilydisplace the feeler-plate 121, thus tripping or breaking the toggleAdevice and permitting the spring 110 to press miv the auxiliary presserintojcooperative relation with the auxiliary feedlng element 22, therebyrendering the auxiliary feed effective. At the completion of the sewinoperation-the toggle may be reset by han thus lifting the auxiliarypresser to ineffective position. n

The'auxiliary presser-foot 106 extends in advance of the feederlate 121,Fig. 9, of the trip to guard the fee er against accidental tripping bythe fingers of 'the operator.'

The foregoing disclosure is merely illustrative of one practicalembodiment of the invention and-is not to be construed as limiting therinvention to the specific means shown and described for carrying it intoeffect, as I believe I am the first to provide a sewing machine with awork-controlled auxiliary feed of any description and I further believeI am the first to provide a sew- .mg machmehaving a rotary work-supportwith primary and auxiliary feeds and an equalizer forconstraining thefeeding elcments of such feeds to move with equal'angular speeds aboutthe center lor axis of the 115 work-support. The scope of the inventionis further and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Having thus set forth the vnature of the invention, what I claim hereinis:

1. A sewing machine having, in combina-f tion, stitch-forming mechanismincluding a needle, means having a center about which the work may turn,means for shiftin such centerrelative to the needle-path rfhlle ,the

machine is in operation, and feeding mechanism including a work-engagingmember` with means for rotatively moving it in a curved pathsubstantially concentric with said shifting center.

2. Sewing machine having, in combination, stitch-forming mechanismincluding a needle, a primary feed, an auxiliary feed comprisingcooperative parts one or more of which are movable to inoperativeposition, and work-controlled means connected to said auxiliary feed torestore the l x cooperative relatlon of said parts at a prechinescomprising, in combination, a feedbar, a feed-dog carrier pivoted onlthe feedb ar, a feed-dog pivoted on the feed-dog carpivoted guideconnected to said feed-dog for determining'its path of movement.

5. Feeding mechanism for sewing machines,l comprising, a feed-bar, meansfor imparting rising-and-falling and feed-andreturn movements to saidfeed-bar, a` feeddog mounted on and bodily movable relative to saidfeed-bar, means including a pivoted guide connected to said feed-dog-for de-l termining its path of movement, and means for shifting thepivot point of such guide.

6. A sewing machine having, in cornbination, stitch-forming mechanismincluding a needle, a feed-bar,.means for imparting rising-and-fallingand feed-and-return movements to said feed-bar, a feed-dog` mounted onand movable relative to said bar, means including a, pivoted vguideconnected to said dog for determining its path of movement, and meansfor shifting the pivot point of such guide without stoppingthestitch-forming mechanism'.

7. Feeding mechanism for 'sewing machines comprising, a feed-bar, afeed-dog -freely carried by said feed-bar, and means including apivotedguide apertured to embrace said feed-dog for directing its movement.. l8. vFeeding mechanism for sewing machines comprising, a feed-bar, afeed-dog freely carried `by said feed-bar, means 1n- Vcluding a pivotedguide apertured to embrace said feed-dog forl directing its movement,and means for shifting the pivot point of said guide toward thefeed-dog.

9. Feeding mechanism for sewing machines comprising, in combination, afeedbar, a feed-dog carrier pivoted on the feedbar, a feed-dog pivotedon the feeddog carrier, andl means including'` a yguide connected tosaid feed-dog for controllingV its path ofmovement. M v l0. FeedingImechanlsm for swmg marler, and means including a pivoted guideconnected to said .feed-dog for controlling its path of movement.

11. Feeding mechanism for sewing machines comprising, in-combination, afeedbar, a feed-dog carrier pivoted on the feedbar, a feed-dog pivotedon the feed-dog carrier, and means including a pivoted guide aperturedto embrace said feed-dog and,

control the path of movement 4of the latter.

12. Feeding mechanism for sewing machines comprising, in combination. afeedbar having theusual rising-and-falling and feed-andreturn movements,a feed-dog` mounted on said feed-'bar vfor movements of rotationand'translation relative to the latter, and guiding means connected tosaid dog for 'determining the resultant movement thereof.

13. Feeding mechanism Afor sewing machines, comprising, in combination,a feedbar having the usual rising-and-falling and feed-and-return`movements, a feed-dog` mounted on said feed-bar for movements ofrotation and translation relative to the latter, and a pivotally mountedguide connected to said feed-dog for determining tht resultant movementof the latter.

14. Feeding mechanisml for Sewing machines comprising, in combination, afeedbar having the usual rising-and-falling an(` feed-and-returnmovements, a 'feed-dog mounted on said feed-bar for movements ofrbtation and translation relative to the latter, pivoted guiding meansconnected tol said feed-dog for determining the resultant movement ofthe latter, and means for shifting the pivot point of said away from thefeed-dog.

15'.4 Feeding mechanism for sewing vmachines comprising feed-dogsections, sepvtion with'i a work-support, a feed dog, andarate pressersopposed, respectively to said feed-dog sections, and means ,including aguide' toward vor work-controlled trip for governing the j action ofoneof said pressers.

16. lin a sewing machine, thecombination with` a work-support, a feedydog, and a `spring-pressed presser-foot, of mechanism including' a workgoverned trip for holding said presserfoot in elevated or ineffectiveposition.

17'. In a sewing `machine thev combina-vt tion with a work-support, afeed dog, and

aspring-pressed presser-foot,y of, a workgoverned toggle device forholding saidr .presser-foot in elevated or ineffective position. f

18. In a sewing machine, the combinaav spring-pressed presser-footopposedY to" said work-support, of'a toggle device. foi' lifting saidpresser-foot andl hold-ing the latter in elevated position, .and aworkgoverned trip' connected to said toggle device for breaking thelatter.

19. jIn "`a sewing machine, the combination with av'work-support, afeed-dog, and a presser-foot, l of a work-enga 'ng feeler and connectionfor lowering t e presserfoot.

' -feed-bar having the usual rising-and-falling and feed-and-returnmovements, a feed'- dog movably mounted on said feed-bar, a guide-barconnected to said feed-dog, a

pivoted guide having a sliding 'connection Vfeed-bar, a feed-dog movablerelative to' l port for said radius-bar, and means for with saidguide-bar, and a" .SUPPortfor said pivoted guide shiftable on said bed.f 22. Feeding mechanism for sewing machines comprising, in combination,a

and carried by said feed-bar, a radius bar connected to-said feed-dogfor controlling' the` movement of the latter, a fulcrum-supshiftingsaid.fulcrumsupport while `'the feed-bar is in operation. 23. In a sewingmachine, in combination, stitch-forming'mechanism including a needle, awork-support including pivotal means about which the work may turn, andfeeding mechanism including a work-engaging element and connections forimparting feeding movements to said element and for'turningsaid elementabout said pivotal meansfasv a center. A

' 24. In a sewing machine, in combination, stitch-forming mechanism.,including a needle, a work-support including pivotal means about which'the work may turn,

feeding mechanism including a work-.en`

'gaging element'. and jconnections'for impart-1 ing feeding movements tosaid element 'and menace@ for turning said element about said pivotalmeans asa center, and means for shifting said plvotal means to vary itsdistance from sa1d needle.

25. In a sewing machine for spiral stitch- I ing, the combination withstitch-forming mechanism including a needle, a work-support having apivot about which the work may turn, means for shifting said pivottoward said needle, a primary feeding element adjacent the needle, andan auxiliary feeding element spaced from said primary feedin element anddisposed at the side of the primary feeding element remote from thework-support.

26. In a lsewing machine for spiral stitching, the combination withstitchforming mechanism including a needle, a work-support having apivot about which the Work may turn, means for shifting said pivottoward said needle, a primary feeding element adjacent the needle, anauxiliary feeding element, and feed controlling ymeans including an eualizer-bar connecting said-pivot with sai feeding elements.

Eli

27 ln a sewing machine, in combination,

stitch-forming mechanism including a reciprocating'needle, awork-support having a shiftingv center withmeans for confining theworkto turn about said shifting center, feeding mechanism includingprimary and auxiliary feeding sections, and an equalizerconnectionbetween the work-support and said sections whereby the latter are con--strained to move with equal angular speeds about said shifting center.

28. A sewin machine having, in combination, stitchorming mechanismincluding a reciprocating needle, a rotary work-support, and feeding`mechanism including a four-motion feed-dog and means for constrainingallparts of said feed-dog to move with equal angular speeds about the axisof rotation of the work-support, thereby avoiding a relative twistbetween the feeddog and the work during the feeding stroke. In testimonywhereof, I have signed my name to` this speciiicatiomv CHARLES M.HORTON.

